Uncomfortably Retired

February 15, 2023

When you are living the life God called you to, life is good. Everything feels right. You are in the right vocation, participating in a loving worship community, praying, serving, reading Scripture. In the midst of all that, you can almost feel like you’re ‘home.’

It’s kind of scary, isn’t it?

God is always working to make adjustments. He will not let “good enough” be our final condition. We are not going to be on a plateau for long, but “onward and upward.” Change is coming.

I grew up under the standard that we work hard until we’re sixty-five, then we retire. That age was a plateau people aimed for. No one really tried to establish what would happen at retirement, only that retirement would be an escape from having to go to work. A person didn’t plan retirement until they were nearly there.

God’s work doesn’t have a retirement plan, other than heaven. He will use us in some capacity as long as we are living. That means we can’t get too comfortable, even when we think our Christian service is going well. Our assignment can change at any time. I know, I’ve been there.

So make it a point of being comfortable at being uncomfortable. The Christian life is an adventure, full of twists and turns. I don’t know what God has planned. I just have faith that it will be good.

Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to

God must believe that he is, and is a rewarded of those who diligently seek him.”

February 18, 2023

I don’t want to exercise today. It rained the tiniest amount this morning, so if I walk my usual route my shoes will get messed up.

I don’t want to exercise today. There’s so much I need to get done. Some things have been on my ‘to do’ list all week, and I promised myself they would be completed soon.

I don’t want to exercise. I just don’t feel like it. I want to do something fun.

Do any of those lame excuses sound familiar?

There are exercises we need to grow in our spiritual lives. These ‘means of grace’ include things like prayer, Bible reading, going to church, listening to or playing Christian music, reading a Christian novel, and similar activities. Our excuses for avoiding physical exercise are often very similar to our excuses for not doing things that bring us closer to God.

Sometimes you just have to exercise, whether it is your first choice or not.

Just like a regular regime of walking or lifting weights, you may not see much change in your faith at first, but over time you’ll discover you are stronger and healthier. You’ll be able to handle tough situations better. You’ll recover from things that push you to your limit quicker. Your strength will get you through each day better. You’ll be more confidant.

You and I need to discipline ourselves to pray every day, for more than just a couple minutes. We need to read the Bible ever day, getting to know each book and chapter (our guide to life). Church attendance should be a ‘given.’ These exercises are important ways to have a closer walk with God. You’ll thank yourself for it one day, and others will be blessed.

“Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you,” Matthew 6:32.